09.06.08 – By James Barlow: In an interesting turn around of events Ricky Hatton has suddenly become the most sort after opponent in boxing. The retirement of Floyd Mayweather Junior has left the biggest box office attraction in boxing, Oscar De La Hoya with out an opponent for this up coming bout in September. And Ray Hatton, Ricky’s father has public admitted that De la Hoya’s first choice replacement for ‘Money’ Mayweather would have been the ‘hit man’. “An approach has been made but it would be too soon, Richard only fought two weeks ago,” said Hatton’s father in an interview with the BBC..
Hatton Snr went on to confirm that as previously though Ricky would be fighting Paulie Malignaggi in the States or Canada in November. And should he beat Malignaggi a future super fight with none other than Manny Pacquiao could be next on the agenda. “We were approached by Manny Pacquiao after the Mayweather fight and it’s on the cards,” said Hatton Sr. “Pacquiao’s big at his weight and it would be a wonderful fight. They’ve just about got the two biggest followings in the world – where would you stage a fight like that?
“It’s nice that these people are approaching him because it means Richard can just sit back and not have to chase people. It’s a wonderful position to be in.” Pacquiao has himself been quoted recently stating “After Diaz I want to fight Ricky Hatton. That will be a good fight”
It goes some way to show how far Hatton has come since cracking America, that some one of De La Hoya’s stature would actively seek him out for a fight. But even more amazingly is that fact that even after his crushing defeat to Mayweather he is in a position to turn it down. With a potential fight with Pacquaio on the horizon Ricky should make sure that he makes a refusal to fight De La Hoya a permanent one. De La Hoya is a naturally much bigger fighter and any fight would have to be made way above the Light Welterweight limit where Hatton has proved he is ineffective. Fights against fellow natural light welterweight Paulie Malignaggi and former Super feather weight super star Pacquaio would be much more competitive.
This can only be a good thing for Ricky Hatton and would go some way in filling any void that a failing to net a potential rematch with Floyd Mayweather has left. With regards to any legacy Hatton will leave behind when he retires two good wins against Malignaggi and pound for pound elite fighter Pacquiao would go some way in making up for time waisted fighting Maussa, Urango and Callazo at his peak when there were bigger fights out there.